Archive for February, 2011

Since the release of vSphere 4.1 a new API for security is available called EPSEC (End Point Security). Together with the already existing VMSafe API security vendors can make security products designed for virtualized worlds.

You might ask, why do security products need a special virtualization approach? Well of course you do not have to, but certain things will not perform so well. Especially if you talk about desktop virtualization. Imagine running 50+ desktop VMs on a single server and all the virus scanners inside those operating systems decide to do their daily scan at the same time. So Trend and Symantec already have ‘random’ start features in their products to prevent this kind of behavior. But can it be done even more efficient?

Yes! by using this new EPSec API. It allows security vendors to build anti virus/malware solutions in a single virtual appliance that can protect all VMs running on a single server, with NO AGENTS installed inside the VMs it self. Trend Micro is the first to have this to market with their currently available DeepSecurity 7.5 product. Symantec and McAfee will hopefully follow soon as well.

To proof that this new way of implementing AV protection is working efficiently, trend asked the Tolly group to research/benchmark this, and what a results did they found! The ‘old school’ scenario consumed 1.7 to 8.5 times more resources. This resulted in 29% to 275% improved workload density!

Especially if you are currently running a VDI environment or planning soon to implement one, I would highly recommend you read the tolly report and plan your Anti Virus/Malware strategy accordingly.

VMware announced today that the vCloud Connector will be available before the end of the quarter. In case you do not know what this connector is all about, well it is simple.. this connector (a plugin for your vCenter environment) allows you to easily move Virtual Machines between your own datacenter and real Cloud providers. Even after you have moved the VMs to a cloud provider you still will be able to see them in vCenter and manage them!

Initially you will be able to connect to the US Bluelock or to the European Colt providers, but more will join! Verizon will soon have a beta program you can join and Terremark and Singtel are also working on supporting the connector.

Most important.. the vCloud Connector will be free of charge (and does not require vCloud Director, just vCenter).

The date for the VMworld 2011 event in the US was already public for a while (august 29, september 1), but when and where the event would take place in Europe was still a bit of a mystery.. until now As the feedback was so great about the copenhagen event, VMware has decided to host VMworld 2011 in europe again in the copenhagen Bella Center from October 18 till 20th.

This year the Hotel next to the bella should be finished, so the walk from the metro station to the venue will be significantly shorter (yeah!) and also of course provides for even more space if needed.

So put the date in your agenda and I hope to see you in copenhagen this year again